Expert Predictions: Kevin Blake's Top Picks for Grand National

The highly anticipated Grand National day has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is here to share his top four predicted finishers for the prestigious Aintree race, along with his top betting picks for other races on the card. Before the main event, Blake has identified two other races that catch his attention, starting with the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 13:20. He's drawn to KAKA'S COUSIN, trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill, a relatively unexposed six-year-old with a promising track record, having won two of his four starts over hurdles. His recent performance in a competitive novices' handicap hurdle at Sandown shows promise, and the step up in distance is expected to suit him well, making him an attractive bet at a fair price. Another competitive handicap chase is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, could secure his third consecutive win. Having won the race in 2024 and 2025, his connections seem to be adopting a similar strategy this year, bringing him in fresh after a 100-day break. A 3lb drop in his handicap mark, courtesy of two moderate earlier runs, puts him in a strong position, just 1lb higher than his winning mark last year. Finally, the Randox Grand National at 16:00 takes center stage, one of the world's most iconic sporting events. While much has changed over the years, the excitement remains, and Kevin Blake has analyzed each runner in a video on the At The Races YouTube channel. Here, he provides a concise summary of his top four predicted finishers for the Grand National.